Fundraising - Kindred Spirits: Artists Hilda Wilkinson Brown and Lilian Thomas Burwell
A documentary on the life and work of two accomplished but underrecognized African-American artists who were united by their love for each other, their dedication to their art, and their passion for teaching.
Interview with Director/Producer Cintia Cabib
Watch Kindred Spirit on the film’s website
Congratulations! Why are you making your film?
Throughout my career as a documentary filmmaker, I have focused on topics that have a strong visual component and that shed light on people, places and historical events that are not widely known. I decided to make the film, Kindred Spirits: Artists Hilda Wilkinson Brown and Lilian Thomas Burwell, after seeing a striking modernist painting by artist Hilda Wilkinson Brown on a brochure I picked up at a historical studies conference. I located her niece, 90-year-old Lilian Thomas Burwell, who told me about her aunt’s career as an artist and art educator. As I talked to Lilian, I learned that she, too, was an accomplished artist and art teacher, and that she credited her aunt Hilda for giving her the opportunity to pursue a career in art. Lilian is the one person who knows all the details of her aunt Hilda’s life and work and owns much of her artwork. I became interested in how these two women fulfilled their promise as artists and educators, despite the inequities of racial segregation.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Kindred Spirits is currently in production. Once it’s completed, you should watch the film because you will see impressive works of art that you probably have never seen before, you will learn about the sources of inspiration for Wilkinson Brown’s and Burwell’s art, and you will hear firsthand the stories of African American artists who, denied the same access and opportunities as their white colleagues, seized educational opportunities, became prominent faculty members and leaders of African-American schools, and established their own venues to exhibit and publish their artwork.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
There are many personal and universal themes in Kindred Spirits: love, family, and friendship as reflected in the relationship between Lilian Thomas Burwell, Hilda Wilkinson Brown, and Burwell’s parents; perseverance and prejudice as both artists pursued higher education and a career in their chosen fields during a time in which they experienced racial discrimination; community and nature, which inspired much of Hilda Wilkinson Brown’s and Lilian Thomas Burwell’s artwork, respectively; and individuality and passion, which characterized each artist’s style and dedication to her profession.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Initially, the film was going to focus specifically on Wilkinson Brown and Burwell, their artwork and their special relationship. As I conducted additional research and learned more about the times in which they lived, I felt it was important to include more details about the historical, economic, and social conditions that shaped their lives, their artwork, and their teaching careers. For example, the film will explore the history of the segregated schools the artists attended and taught in, examine the impact of the African-American magazines founded by W.E.B. Du Bois (for which Wilkinson Brown created commercial illustrations), and note the important role of the Barnett-Aden Gallery, one of the few black-owned galleries in the U.S. which exhibited works by African-Americans.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I’m still in the production phase but so far, I have received very positive reactions to the film. I did a poster presentation about the film at the D.C. History Conference in Washington, D.C. I’ve gotten positive feedback on the film’s social media feeds. People are really intrigued about these two artists and have told me they are very interested in seeing the completed documentary.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It hasn’t surprised me but it has encouraged me. One does not receive immediate gratification when working on an independent film, so meeting people who take an interest in the documentary and having people “like” my film on Facebook motivates me!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I think it’s important to get the word out early about Kindred Spirits to generate interest in the film and to get people excited about seeing the completed documentary. It’s a wonderful platform to let people know why I’m producing Kindred Spirits and what I hope to achieve through the production and exhibition of the film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I need funders! I have been issued a special challenge to raise funds for the film: the Wyeth Foundation for American Art has promised me $12,500 in finishing funds if I can raise the additional $38,500 to produce the film by August 1. You can donate to the film by visiting http://www.kindredspiritsfilm.com and clicking on the “Donate” button. The documentary is fiscally sponsored by the non-profit organization Video Action, so all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. All donors will receive a DVD of the documentary, an invitation to the film’s Washington, D.C. premiere, and acknowledgment in the film’s credits.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like film viewers to feel the thrill of discovering the work of these two artists, to learn about the people, places and landscapes that influenced their art, and to understand the impact the Great Depression and segregation had on their education, their careers and their outlook on life. Furthermore, I want audiences to become aware of the venues African-American artists created for themselves and their colleagues to publish and exhibit their work when no one else offered them the opportunity to do so.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why is it that many people are not familiar with these two black women artists and their work?
Would you like to add anything else?
March is Women’s History Month, a perfect time to honor these two remarkable artists. I hope people will take advantage of this month to learn more about the film and to share information about Kindred Spirits on their social media feeds.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am distributing my documentary Labyrinth Journeys, which presents the stories of adults, teenagers and children who use seven Washington, D.C. area labyrinths as tools for healing, meditation, rehabilitation, stress reduction, and playful exploration. You can learn more at http://www.labyrinthjourneysfilm.com.
Interview: March 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Kindred Spirits: Artists Hilda Wilkinson Brown and Lilian Thomas Burwell
A documentary on the life and work of two accomplished but underrecognized African-American artists who were united by their love for each other, their dedication to their art, and their passion for teaching.
Length: 27 minutes
Director: Cintia Cabib
Producer: Cintia Cabib
About the director and producer:
Cintia Cabib is an independent producer, videographer and editor. Her documentaries have aired on public television stations nationwide and have been screened at numerous venues throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Funders
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KindredSpiritsFilm
Twitter: @KinSpiritsFilm
Other: Website: http://www.kindredspiritsfilm.com
Funders: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, individual donors
When will the film be released? 2018